Vintage fashion used to be a novelty limited to thrift shops in tucked-away corners of busy cities; the type of clothing that would smell vaguely of mothballs and be gathering dust. You’d wear these clothes to be a little different, or to raise a few eyebrows, but they wouldn’t be staple pieces of your collection.

But as 2021 rolls around, fashionistas are speculating that vintage will be one of the biggest trends of the year. With that in mind, here are a few timeless pieces you need in your collection – statement garments that won’t go out of style any time soon.

1970s cardigans

Expect the cardigan to undergo a renaissance in 2021, especially if you can get your hands on a truly timeless piece, like a gold knit cardigan from the founder of Maison fashion house – Amina Rubinacci. When shopping for pieces like this, keep an eye on small details like the buttons, which were typically bigger and more ornate in clothing from the 1970s.   

Our Skinny Dip Tapered Pleat-Front Pants will make the perfect match with your cardigan.

White knee-high boots

The white knee-high boot was a signature look of the 1960s, sported by models and starts of the silver screen alike.

Sleek, sophisticated and utterly eye-catching, it’s no wonder the style is coming back into fashion, and many contemporary designers are putting their own touch on this classic look.

Still, if you can bag yourself a vintage pair in good condition, you’ll save on the bottom line and truly make a style statement to boot.

Pair your white boots with our Sweet Serenade Swiss Dot Tiered Prairie Dress

Shoulder pads

In the 1980s, Princess Diana was famed for wearing eye-catching dresses with boxy shoulder pads. The shoulder pad was not only eye-catching, it gave the princess a natural “V” shape, helping to accentuate the silhouette and narrow the torso. Diana wasn’t alone – the shoulder pad was all the rage and several decades on, it’s back in the limelight.

Check out our Next Level Oversized Double-Breasted Blazer to accomplish this look. 

Tweed coats circa 2000

See if you can pick up a tweed coat circa 2000. Made largely from wool, these high-quality garments hold their shape and are suitable for most body types, helping to elongate your silhouette and provide warmth as the weather turns colder later in the year. In the end, tweed is retro without looking twee; stylish without being over-the-top. Ultimately, it’s the sort of item you can wear with almost any outfit.

Our Tweed Racer Plaid Moto Jacket is the perfect fit. 

Velvet

Velvet was a favorite of the clothing industry in the 1970s but largely got overlooked as time went by, losing sway to cheaper materials that were more resistant to the elements. Thankfully, the vintage revolution has brought this beautiful, plush fabric back into the fold, and you can pick up garments made from velvet at a reasonable price. Think velvet maxi dresses, shorts, blazers and more.

Pair a velvet blazer with our Flashpoint Vintage-Washed Thunderbolt Graphic Tee for a winning combo. 

Corduroy trousers/pants

Another favorite of the 1970s was corduroy, the high-quality “cord” that derives from the same material as velvet: namely, fustian fabric.

Corduroy lost popularity because of its rigidity. In other words, it wasn’t easy to shape into a traditionally flattering form factor. But as more and more fashion outlets embrace baggy jeans and pants, corduroy trousers are once again becoming a popular choice.

One of the great things about this fabric is its durability: a good pair will last you years… and you should be able to find a few gems on sale at a good price.

Some Corduroy pants and our Lady in Satin Textured Charmeuse Pocket Top and you're ready to go.